Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA08170’

ABSTRACT

A new  Calibrachoa  plant named ‘KLECA08170’ particularly distinguished by light blue flowers, a very early flowering period with continuous flowering, and a flat, trailing growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Calibrachoa hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘KLECA08170’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofCalibrachoa, botanically known as Calibrachoa hybrid and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘KLECA08170’. The new cultivaroriginated from a hybridization made in Summer 2004 in Stuttgart,Germany. The female parent was the proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘W 329’(unpatented), while the male parent was the proprietary Calibrachoaplant ‘W 220’ (unpatented).

The new cultivar was first propagated in May 2005 in Stuttgart, Germanyand has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart,Germany for more than 40 generations. The present invention has beenfound to retain its distinctive characteristics through successiveasexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for.‘KLECA08170’ has not been made publicly available more than one yearprior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Light blue flowers;    -   2. A very early flowering period with continuous flowering; and    -   3. A flat, trailing growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Calibrachoa plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographwhich shows flowers and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are astrue as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures.

The photograph is of a five-month-old Calibrachoa plant, grown in agreenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany, between January and May 2008.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLECA08170’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on five-month-old plantswhich were planted as rooted cuttings in 11-cm pots between January andMay 2008 and then grown in a greenhouse. The plants had one terminalpinch one week after potting. Color readings were taken under naturallight. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.        -   Botanical.—Calibrachoa hybrid.        -   Common.—Calibrachoa.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female.—The proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘W 329’            (unpatented).        -   Male.—The proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘W 220’            (unpatented).-   Growth:    -   -   Habit.—Flat-trailing.        -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—6.0 cm.        -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—18.0 cm.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—10 weeks.        -   Outdoor plant performance.—Continuous flowering.        -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—15 days.        -   Root description.—Moderate density, freely branching with            white roots.-   Stems:    -   -   Length of basal branches.—9.0 cm.        -   Internode length.—1.0 cm to 2.2 cm.        -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—0.2 cm to 0.7 cm.        -   Stem color.—RHS 145A.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.        -   Pedicel.—Color: RHS 144B. Length: 1.6 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm.            Texture: Smooth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Size.—Length: 0.8 cm to 2.8 cm. Width: 0.4 cm to 0.7 cm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate to elliptic.        -   Apex.—Broadly acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color.—Immature and mature: Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower            surface: RHS 138B.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Venation color (both surfaces).—RHS 144A.        -   Petioles.—Absent.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Shape.—Irregular to oblong.        -   Size.—Length: 1.8 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm.        -   Color at tight bud.—RHS 79D.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit.—Continuous flowering during summertime.        -   Inflorescence type.—Single.        -   Floret type.—Funnel-shaped.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—5 days.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.-   Flowers:    -   -   Immature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 2.8 cm. Vertical:            2.8 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 86D. Lower surface: RHS            85B.        -   Mature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 3.0 cm. Vertical:            2.8 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 85C. Lower surface: RHS            85B.        -   Corolla tube.—Color inside: RHS 4B. Color outside: RHS 3C.            Tube length: 1.5 cm. Outside texture: Moderate. Inside            texture: Smooth.        -   Petals.—Apex: Obverse. Base: Open and fused into the tube.            Margin: Entire. Waviness of petals: Weak. Lobation: Weak.            Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.        -   Sepals.—Calyx (form): Rosette. Shape: Lanceolate to            elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Tube fused into the base.            Margin: Entire. Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Color: Upper            surface: RHS 138A. Lower surface: RHS 138B. Texture (both            surfaces): Smooth.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 5. Filament color: RHS 154A. Filament            length: 0.7 cm. Filament diameter: 0.1 cm. Pollen color: RHS            11A. Pollen quantity: Moderate.        -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 0.3 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Stigma            color: RHS 149A. Style color: RHS 149A.-   Fruit and seed set: No seed set observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or    susceptibility has been observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLECA08170’ differs from the female parent ‘W 329’ (unpatented) in that‘KLECA08170’ has larger-sized flowers and earlier flowering, while ‘W329’ has smaller-sized flowers and later flowering.

‘KLECA08170’ differs from the male parent ‘W 220’ in that ‘KLECA08170’has light blue flowers and a flat, trailing growth habit, while ‘W 220’has lavender flowers and a compact growth habit.

‘KLECA08170’ differs from the commercial cultivar ‘MINIFAMOUS LightBlue’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLECA08170’ has very early flowering andgood branching, while ‘MINIFAMOUS Light Blue’ has late flowering andmedium branching.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA08170’ as shown and described herein. 